This is a public forum and challenge. You don't have to be a member to participate, unless you want to post your results here. See the story and the challenge in this forum. It will be a THREE-PART CHALLENGE!

"there was something, somewhere, in Part 1, I think, about Iona thinking of and treating her hired help as family."

I re-read through it and couldn't find anything in Part 1. Of course Part 1 was the beginning and all about getting Iona and Ishudava together, plus adding 2 children to the household. It does not get to the Mansion until Part 2 (where staff will be added). Part 2 also never really states anything about the staff in that context. Without a true tie, though, treated like or thought of, none of that would matter and the house would no longer be "in the family" if given to staff that were not actually related. It's a moot point for my story, though. Turns out they were all related anyway!!